Nicholson out as Main Street Columbus director

For the second time in less than six months, Main Street Columbus is looking for a new director.

The Main Street Columbus board announced in a press release Thursday that Nickie Nicholson had been terminated, just seven weeks after she started the job.

According to the release, Nicholson's predecessors, Amber Brislin and Jan Miller, will organize the upcoming Market Street Festival, along with board members and volunteers.

Nicholson, 29, is a native of Georgia who moved to Columbus in June. She took over as Main Street director on Dec. 10, replacing Brislin, who had been director for six years. Brislin stayed on for the remainder of December to help organize Wassail Fest, the downtown Christmas parade and the New Year's Eve Block Party.

Complaints about Nicholson's performance began to surface from downtown merchants almost from the start and persisted throughout her short tenure.

The board met with Nicholson last week to address concerns with her performance.

A board member who wished to remain anonymous said the board's decision to terminate Nicholson came after a long meeting with Nicholson Thursday.

"It wasn't a good fit and we just need to move forward," the board member said.

The board's incoming president, John Brady, said the organization will continue its mission to promote downtown Columbus.

"On behalf of the entire board, we are all committed to making sure Main Street's important projects don't miss a beat," Brady said.

According to the mission statement of the National Main Street Association, Main Street divisions are designed to promote the downtown area as well as garner business.

Of the 86 downtown storefronts, 21 are currently vacant.

A search for Nicholson's replacement will begin next week, according to Thursday's press release.

Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.